In Loving Memory
Susan Joy Kvasnica Fox
Susan Joy Kvasnica Fox, 74, of San Diego, CA, passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at BonitaView Hospice Home after an unexpected diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and subsequent brief illness.
Susan was born April 21, 1946 in Flint, MI to Vera Ross Kvasnica and Charles Joe Kvasnica, Jr, the oldest of their three children. She graduated from Bentley High School as salutatorian and attended University of Michigan where she received a B.A. in Speech Pathology and Correction. She married fellow student Dr. Robert Fox and during their 30-year marriage they traveled the U.S. and the world, regularly visited family in Michigan and Washington, D.C., raised two daughters, and created a loving home.
Susan, always full of energy and drive, held many volunteer and professional positions throughout her life. She taught speech therapy in the Mamaroneck, NY school district, volunteered in a Boston hospital’s children’s cancer wing, was an instructor and associate 2nd term degree master of Ohara School Ikebana Japanese flower arranging (a level achieved by few foreigners), worked at floral and landscaping companies, extensively volunteered with homeless programs, and, after she and her ex-husband had parted ways, provided in-home lodging to college students.
In the early 2000s Susan discovered her calling to improve the lives of senior citizens, first by founding Senior Social Care Management to enrich the lives of older adults and ultimately as Principal and Founder of Liberty Fiduciary Services (libertyfiduciary.com). She was a passionate advocate for the fiduciary profession and held California Professional Fiduciary License #84, granted on the inaugural date of licensing by the bureau. Over the course of more than 15 years she built Liberty Fiduciary into a successful business which fulfilled the statement proudly displayed on a giant banner at the office entrance, “Our mission is to protect the vulnerable by providing compassionate and fully accountable fiduciary services.” She took special pride in the professional development of her staff and of the strong reputation for “respect, protection, commitment” that she and her team worked every day to provide.
Susan enjoyed a wide variety of activities, from homemaker arts when her children were young (flower arranging, gardening and roses, knitting, cake decorating, remodeling) to professional volunteer positions with the Professional Fiduciary Association of California, Rotary Club, San Diego Parkinson’s Disease Association, and San Diego Alzheimer’s Association among others. She was an active and meaningful member of many professional groups related to probate, trust, special needs, and estate planning. A perpetual learner, she also held many certificates for continuing education.
Although we wish Susan had been granted more time with us, she herself considered the past 40 years as a time of grace granted to her after she survived breast cancer at age 35. We are grateful that she lived every day to the fullest. Indeed, she was so vibrantly alive that it is hard to believe she is no longer with us.
Susan is survived by daughters Deborah (Douglas) Bellew of PA and Laura (Robert) Beahm of IL, her mother Vera Kvasnica of MI, brother Wayne (Pam) Kvasnica of MI, sister Emma Jean Kvasnica of CA, four nieces, and four grandchildren. Condolences and memories are warmly welcomed at any time at SusanFoxMemories@gmail.com.
Virtual Celebration of Life
Saturday, January 16
10:00 AM PST / 12:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM EST
Please join us for a celebration of Susan’s life. Information on how to join the ceremony is below. Burial is planned in the late spring in her family cemetery in Taymouth Township, MI.
Before the day of the ceremony
1. Please register to attend the ceremony by clicking the button below.
2. If you do not already have Zoom, please download the application below.
On the day of the ceremony
Please refer to your registration email for instructions on joining the ceremony. Feel free to email hello@lightenarrangements.com if you need help.
Remembering Susan
Help us create a tribute to Susan’s life by telling us one word you would use to describe her. We’re asking all guests to contribute, and will display the results in a beautiful word cloud during Susan’s virtual ceremony.
If you experience any issues contributing your word, please feel free to email hello@lightenarrangements.com
Guestbook
Please join us in celebrating Susan’s life by sharing your stories and memories of her.
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Donations
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Susan’s honor to the American Cancer Society (https://donate3.cancer.org) or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (https://www.pancan.org).
My mother, Susan Kvasnica Fox, was an inspiration and a joy. I am so glad she was able to spend her life in a way that held great meaning for her and bettered the lives of all around her. My family and I will miss her terribly but we are grateful for all the years we had together.
Susan was a life force. Always so full of energy and enthusiasm. She took such pride in the accomplishments of Liberty Fiduciary. Her pride extended to her remarkable staff and to the clients they served. She is a great loss to the Fiduciary community and to those of us who cared for her.
My condolences to her family on such a sudden loss.
I remember Susan for her grace and generosity. As an aspiring fiduciary, I interviewed and later interned with Susan. She shared with me that about 30 days after she officially became a fiduciary, she was stunned to fully realize the responsibility to which she had now given herself. She vowed to serve with integrity and never stop. She exemplified a commitment to learning, expanding and contributing. I will miss having her as a role model and a pillar of our community.
It is with a great deal of sadness that I post this memory. I knew Susan professionally but it was obvious that she was a caring and trustworthy person. These are the qualities that contributed to her success as a private fiduciary, and also highlighted her as a friend to many of us in the Elder Care world. I valued her experience and wisdom and will miss her as a colleague and a friend. Rest In Peace Susan ❤️
As a student member of PFAC, I am inspired by Susan’s accomplishments within the Fiduciary field. At PFAC events in 2019, I spoke with staff of Liberty Mutual. Their sincerity and knowledge impresses upon me how the legacy of a competent leader, such as Susan, can imbue all around her to carry forth her core values for business and society.
Susan Fox is the ultimate example of energy, courage, compassion, and professionalism. Susan’s uncanny ability to spot and hire talented professionals created what I affectionately called my “Liberty Fiduciary Family.” We met as professionals, but because of Susan’s generous, wise, and positive personality, our relationship evolved into an enduring friendship. Susan’s friendship was a gift. I miss her. Even now, leaning into Susan’s always-positive attitude, I know her legacy and influence continues shining in many of us. Shine on my friend.
I had the pleasure of getting to know Susan Kvasnica Fox, my roommate Debbie’s mom, during and after our college years. I still remember her energy and joy as she helped us up-level our standard-issue dorm furniture, giving us those little touches of home (pleated lampshades! finials! throw pillows!) that made all the difference in our experience of high-rise life at Penn. I have warm memories of her happily supporting Debbie at her wedding and later at her baby shower. I will always think of her as a strong, inspirational and ever-positive force.
I have known Susan for about 15 years. I remember when I first met Susan I was impressed with how caring and thoughtful she was and at the same time how brilliant of a business woman she was. Over the years, Susan and I began working together on client matters and my first impression of Susan was continually confirmed and from there, it grew into admiration. Susan was a successful business woman, managing an amazing staff, servicing all of her clients with care and professionalism, and still making time for her family and friends. For those who knew Susan, they know that she always made time for them no matter how busy she was. I only aspire to be as successful in all areas of life as Susan was. Susan will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. Her spirit and legacy will carry on in all those that were fortunate to have known her.
Many Thanks to Susan & staff for her help with my Mother’s last days and for being my Trustee for the last 5 years. Her dedication to her work & her ability to help me threw a hard time is greatly appreciated.